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First Contact
Welcome to the Occupied States of America
FIRST CONTACT is a series of stand-alone novels that explore humanity's first interaction with extraterrestrial life.Ashley Kelly is your typical American teenager—or she would be if it wasn’t for the cluster bomb that crippled her. Seven years after the invasion, over a hundred million Americans have been displaced by the war, with millions more dead. Ash has spent seven years learning to walk again, and she’ll be damned if she’s going to lie down for anyone, human or otherwise.FIRST CONTACT is similar to BLACK MIRROR or THE TWILIGHT ZONE in that the series is based on a common theme rather than common characters. This allows these books to be read in any order. Technically, they're all first as they all deal with how we might initially respond to contact with aliens, exploring the social, political, religious, and scientific aspects of First Contact.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2016
324 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
November 17, 2017
Welcome to the Occupied States of America
By: Peter Cawdron
Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo
Everytime I listen to one of Peter Cawdron's books I feel so satisfied and refreshed. I love his books. I feel my brain has gotten what it has been craving. This book was no different.
This is after the arrival of alien life but it is not like any other alien life in any other book! No, this is soooo different and strange. I wish I could invite all sci-fi lovers to PLEASE read his books. A girl in a wheel chair, a touch chick she is, she is the one that makes this book POP, her and Chuckles, lol. I can't and won't give more details but read some of his books.
Awesome!!!
The narrator, oh my god!! Perfect!!! I felt like I was there, I almost forgot I was home and not there with the soldiers and the girl. She is one heck of an actress!
By: Peter Cawdron
Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo
Everytime I listen to one of Peter Cawdron's books I feel so satisfied and refreshed. I love his books. I feel my brain has gotten what it has been craving. This book was no different.
This is after the arrival of alien life but it is not like any other alien life in any other book! No, this is soooo different and strange. I wish I could invite all sci-fi lovers to PLEASE read his books. A girl in a wheel chair, a touch chick she is, she is the one that makes this book POP, her and Chuckles, lol. I can't and won't give more details but read some of his books.
Awesome!!!
The narrator, oh my god!! Perfect!!! I felt like I was there, I almost forgot I was home and not there with the soldiers and the girl. She is one heck of an actress!
November 18, 2019
4 Chuckles stars!
I’ve now read 3 Peter Cawdron books in 3 days. So yes, I believe I’m officially a fan. While this one didn’t get 5 stars from me this time, I’m still very impressed with Mr Cawdron’s writing and story telling prowess.
This had a bit of a more open ended ending than I’d like. A lot of unanswered questions pertaining to the aliens and their reasons for coming to earth. Hence the four stars. Also, not much science in this one.
I still enjoyed it.. just felt that it wasn’t as water tight as the previous two I’ve read. I’m still going to be bingeing on Mr Cawdron’s back catalogue so hopefully more good ones to come!
Also, don’t know what the title means? Read the book to find out! It’s a rather endearing story 😆
I’ve now read 3 Peter Cawdron books in 3 days. So yes, I believe I’m officially a fan. While this one didn’t get 5 stars from me this time, I’m still very impressed with Mr Cawdron’s writing and story telling prowess.
This had a bit of a more open ended ending than I’d like. A lot of unanswered questions pertaining to the aliens and their reasons for coming to earth. Hence the four stars. Also, not much science in this one.
I still enjoyed it.. just felt that it wasn’t as water tight as the previous two I’ve read. I’m still going to be bingeing on Mr Cawdron’s back catalogue so hopefully more good ones to come!
Also, don’t know what the title means? Read the book to find out! It’s a rather endearing story 😆
April 11, 2025
‘Welcome to the Occupied States of America’ tells the story of Ashley Kelly, a 17yr old girl with spinal injuries and mostly confined to a wheelchair. How did she get these injuries? Fleeing an alien invasion and getting bombed in the process. We join her 7yrs after the alien invasion has begun, as she is trying to survive in this new world, and as she has mostly adapted to her new body. And facing aliens, called ‘Grubs’ that can strip anything, including a human of all its flesh, in seconds. No one knows why they are here, but they have either killed or displaced most of the human population.
This is the incredible story of a disabled girl in an alien war zone, trying to not just survive, but help the survival of the human race.
Whilst this might seem the usual story, teenage girl, alien invasion, survival story, you have to remember, it's a Peter Cawdron book. And for anyone that knows Cawdron, you know that this is going to be a fascinating ride, with engaging and clever characters. And Cawdron doesn’t disappoint.
He makes reference to paying homage to ‘War of the Worlds’, and whilst this story does have a similar feel (as well as to his earlier work ‘Xenophobia’), this is an outstanding story, that is at sometimes funny, other times heartbreaking, and times terrifying to the point you will want to turn on the light and poke various objects just in case (You will get this once you read it). If you are a fan of ‘War of the Worlds’, you will love this.
One of the key points that Cawdron explores through the book is peace, as in, what happens when you can’t win or lose a war? This is what makes this story so incredibly fascinating and different.
The most amazing part of Cawdron’s work is his characters. There is so much realism in how he writes Ash, her emotional state, what she is thinking, feeling, even down to her physical sensations when she is in the chair.
He does a masterful job of describing her physical disability, her pain and the attitude that comes with it, and her resolve to go on. As someone with a chronic back injury, I could relate to some elements of Ash, and found it incredible the writing job that Cawdron had done to bring this girl to life. Even when she is flung out of her chair at one stage, it's like Peter has actually thrown himself out of a chair so he knows how it feels and can write it clearly.
Without giving away too much of the story, there are several other characters in the story as Ash proceeds along her path, and they are all equally incredible, so much depth.
However, it is not until the end, do we really see Cawdron’s true brilliance come to light, as the plot unfolds, and the dialogue between several of the characters plays out. The realism of the scenes and those involved, the conflict, angst, torment for fighting what you believe in, this is the writing that makes Peter Cawdron the exceptional character author he is, and the reason you should read this book.
This is a story for anyone who loves great Science Fiction. If you like reading a book with wonderful characters, then this is a story for you.
This is the incredible story of a disabled girl in an alien war zone, trying to not just survive, but help the survival of the human race.
Whilst this might seem the usual story, teenage girl, alien invasion, survival story, you have to remember, it's a Peter Cawdron book. And for anyone that knows Cawdron, you know that this is going to be a fascinating ride, with engaging and clever characters. And Cawdron doesn’t disappoint.
He makes reference to paying homage to ‘War of the Worlds’, and whilst this story does have a similar feel (as well as to his earlier work ‘Xenophobia’), this is an outstanding story, that is at sometimes funny, other times heartbreaking, and times terrifying to the point you will want to turn on the light and poke various objects just in case (You will get this once you read it). If you are a fan of ‘War of the Worlds’, you will love this.
One of the key points that Cawdron explores through the book is peace, as in, what happens when you can’t win or lose a war? This is what makes this story so incredibly fascinating and different.
The most amazing part of Cawdron’s work is his characters. There is so much realism in how he writes Ash, her emotional state, what she is thinking, feeling, even down to her physical sensations when she is in the chair.
He does a masterful job of describing her physical disability, her pain and the attitude that comes with it, and her resolve to go on. As someone with a chronic back injury, I could relate to some elements of Ash, and found it incredible the writing job that Cawdron had done to bring this girl to life. Even when she is flung out of her chair at one stage, it's like Peter has actually thrown himself out of a chair so he knows how it feels and can write it clearly.
Without giving away too much of the story, there are several other characters in the story as Ash proceeds along her path, and they are all equally incredible, so much depth.
However, it is not until the end, do we really see Cawdron’s true brilliance come to light, as the plot unfolds, and the dialogue between several of the characters plays out. The realism of the scenes and those involved, the conflict, angst, torment for fighting what you believe in, this is the writing that makes Peter Cawdron the exceptional character author he is, and the reason you should read this book.
This is a story for anyone who loves great Science Fiction. If you like reading a book with wonderful characters, then this is a story for you.
October 4, 2016
This is Peter Cawdron's best work yet, and I have read everything he has published. Welcome to the OSA had a decidedly H.G. Wells feel to it, and was fantastically well written. The main character, and in fact all of the characters were well developed and easy to identify with, and the plot was action packed enough to keep the pages turning all day. This book tackled so many underlying social issues without seeming preachy that I felt as though I were reading one of the classics of science fiction. When the main character is a girl in a wheelchair, the author can't help but examine disabilities and the ways that the people who have them are treated. Cawdron also examines America's fear of refugees, as America itself is overrun and its citizens become refugees. He also examines the importance of Peace and the unfortunate necessity for war. I read this story in one sitting, and I wish there was more. I wholeheartedly recommend this story, along with the other works by this author. His writing is fantastic, and I believe that one day his name will be among the greats of the genre like Asimov, PK Dick, Heinlein, and Wells. Once again, Five stars is too few for a story as well written as this one.
August 23, 2020
Welcome to the Occupied States of America has got to be one of the best scifi books I have read in a long time. War rages on with no end in sit as alien grub like creatures attack. A teenage crippled girl, named Ash takes us throw a war torn American around the border town of El Paso and up into White Sands to learn what these war raging visitors want. The only down side is, she doesn’t know what they want. The only thing she knows is they have taking an interest in her… but for what reason? Peter Cawdron knocks this one out of the part! Gripping and very thought provoking
October 28, 2025
Rating: stars on a scale of minus 15 to plus 5 scale.
I am doing an expansion to the original review. I may have judged it too generously but when an Unlimited title can generate that reaction, it stands out from its fellows.
Before I begin, I must visit the YouTube. This was made possible by Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, NCMI, Honest 2 Betsy, RevolutionarythOt, The Military Show, Anark, Red Glasgow, Anne Applebaum, Betty on a Boat, Hawk's Podcasts, Academic Avengers, AllShorts, Mody Speaks, The Military Show, Tachyon Pulse, Parkrose Permaculture, Guard the Leaf, Tina Friml,
Welcome to Ukraine, Candlelit Tales, Hello Future Me, LuckyBlackCat, RFU News, Keffals, Reese Waters, Vidya Mitra, No Justice, Novara Media, Mallen Baker, Ship Happens, Cruising Alba, Times Radio, Professor Tim Wilson, Cappy Army, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, The Enemy from Within, Reads with Rachel, Shades of Orange, New Enlightenment with Ashley, Ambient Studio, Outlaw Bookseller,
Jake Broe, Hildegard von Blingin, Tibees, Lily Simpson, Ukraine Matters, Kyiv Independent, History of Everything, Sarah Todd Hammer, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Subha Reads, RoxBlog Classical Music, Roisin's Reading, Science Fiction with Damien Walter, Raw News and Politics, Ksenia Turkova, Canada Today, ScaredKetchup, Wednesday - Paint it Black, Jay & Sharon, Heather Cox Richardson, CBC News, More Perfect Union,
Leena Norms, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Lynn Saga, Nayia, Gold and Gunpowder, The Sleeping Archaeologist, Eckharts Ladder, The Resistance -Call Me Antifa, Esther Natakunda, Then & Now, Grammies View, JimmyTheGiant, Happy Pancake, Dreamloop Cinema, Red Dawn, Grandma Clanker, Lisandra Vazquez, Verilybitchie, The Miracle Aligner, Naughty Nana DUZ, Amanda's Mild Takes, Anna Kallschmidt PhD,
Elvira Bary, A Very Casual Librarian, Kyiv Independent, Alex Fleev, The Economist, Radical Living, Tyrone Ross, Anka Daily News, Queen Penguin, Ozzy Man Reviews, Refashioned Hippie, Today I Learned Science, CTV News, ScaredKetchup, Purple Sweater, Joel Mugisha, Todd Maffin, Wongel Zelalem, Book Lover Laura, CoachD, Riverboat Jack, Delamer, The Open Book, Matriarchetype, Danainspired.
I saw not long ago an American idiot who whilst insulting an essayist which I mention, complain to her that I list other trans creators. The epidemic of Snowflake (brutish, uncouth, unselfaware US baby-man) creation continues unabated. A trigger warning then.
The channels I list include anthropologist, mathematician, lesbian, Irish, homesteader, model painter, chess player, redhaired, intersex, WOC, communist, physically challenged, het, marine biologist, Indian, paleontologist, literary critic, asexual, tall, military historian, boater, language historian, cis, military boardgamer, sewist, trans, physicist, musician, autist, socialist, queer, Australian, logician, economist, historian of geopolitics, architect and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening to the limited reference group are the channels hosted by the zoologist, chemist, anarchist, Canadian, other LGBTQI+, paleontologist, lumber yard family, miniatures gamer, other BIPOC, fashion historian, South African, book reviewer, model builder, boat builder, linguist, cosplayer, archaeologist, writer, literary critic, other neurodivergent, science fiction narrator, Cornish, logician, science fiction commentator, train historian, zoologist and other creators known (outside the USA) as Human Beings.
Should the voices not be silenced, seek the nearest Taoist monastery, repeat several times daily "I will not be a bellend today" and/or learn a new skill, perhaps Reading.
My contempt towards those clods, almost overwhelms at times. In those moments, I remember the early days short interview with the Ukrainian teacher, who organised and led her civilian anti-tank team hunting Russian armour North of Kyiv. With their example, I can not but continue. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
Onto to the book. His first contact novels are dark and they are fantastic. This one created another brand new ugly first contact scenario that was almost more horror story than alien invasion. It kept me on edge until the very end.
The one weak point is that instead of a global challenge, alien encounters are American affairs. US centrism in US science fiction is a standard. Amazon and writers are not tasked with changing that perspective but I hardly think that the shallow and erroneous worldview of the US reader is not reinforced by that standard.
A consequence of that limited view is easily seen in the campaign rhetoric of both major US Parties with the Republican voter cheering on policies justified by same.
His characters are good. The aliens are well described and the story twists are wonderful. Warning, it is scary but is definitely worth it.
In all honesty, I do not remember these books but in revisiting this review, I am looking forward purchasing physical copies. Not from Amazon.
I now take a short well earned break on the YouTube and possibly telly. This next was brought to you by Doctor Who/Never Fail To Be Kind - Slyfer2812, NCMI, Kings and Generals, Fiona Hill, Silicon Curtain, RTE News, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, Gabi Belle, Margaret Adelle, Keith Edwards, What Michaela Reads, Warships and Warriors, Sarah C M Paine, Ambient Studio - War Ambience, Gary's Economics,
Dammit Jeff, The Mindful Narrowboat, Business Basics, Underthedesknews, Whitenoiz, Leftist Cooks, Canada Today, KernowDamo, Tabithaspeakspolitics, Brianna Sarovski, The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, Wednesday, Chris Waite, Wanderness, Prime of Midlife, Turn Left, Vanwives, Bobbing Along, Barry's Economics, Maggie Mae Fish,
Northern Narrowboaters, Chris Norlund, Unlearning Economics, Sound Illusion - WW2 War Ambience, Norse Witch, Activist Witch, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Red Viburnam Song, BG's Model Workshop, Rogue Hobbies, Dungeons and Discourse, Anton Petrov, Joseph Reads Books, Sumatha Reads, Sailing Melody, Legendary Tactics, Jamey Reads, Verilybitchie, Bitchuation Room,
Parkrose Permaculture, Democratic Penguins Republic, Dark Brandon, Raw News and Politics, Three Arrows, The Great War, Petticoats and Prose, Lee Francis, Miranda Mills, Bernadette Banner, Jill Bearup, Gemma Dyer, Ukraine Calling, Harp Twins, Kyiv Post, The Gaze, JohnTheDuncan, Irish Myths, Katie Montgomerie, Mom on the Spectrum, Ember Green, CBC News, Diary of a Ditch Witch,
Cruising Crafts, Cruising the Cut, Liz Webster, Capital Lumber Log Yard, Farm to Taber, Sally's Economics, Amie's Literary Empire, Engineering with Rosie, Gutsick Gibbon, Lily Simpson, Leena Norms, Emilie's Literary Corner, Planet D, Garron, Tale Foundry, Irish Pagan School, Yarmak, Your True Shelf, Lady of the Library, Jen the Librarian, Eckharts Ladder, Jay Exci, SciFi Scavenger, A Very Casual Librarian.
YouTube have for sometime been shadow censoring certain types of channels. Those have seen their upload times increased with no apparent reason or explanation, subscribers mysteriously unsubscribed, demonetisation with long correction times and no explanation and other harassment.
The channels affected seem to be those critical of the US administration, the Israeli state, the Putin regime, capitalism in general. The Manosphere, Russian paid channels, and similar seem not afflicted.
Consider treating Goodreads as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran. The story is of a wealthy twat enlisting the military to overthrow the US government in order that he not pay taxes. It seems almost topical.
It is a poorly written imitation of "Atlas Shrugged" on the Moon. There are a fair number of these gems in Unlimited, all of which I found unhealthy and dangerous.
Travis self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions) and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance already existing in prison labour with its extension supported by legislative and policy initiatives), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (another popular stance among those who could not locate Russia on a labelled world map).
He and six fellow patriots took exception to my poor communist opinion. There followed a year long demand for response to comments, which included judgements of my intelligence (fair enough), the unexplained evil of socialism, interesting views on slavery, the role of the white male in history, the narcissism suggested by my reluctance to engage and more.
They do not recognise the painful irony.
The final comment was sent by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse. After referencing the content of my last message with a Goodreads friend, he declared that They had "won" (?).
They had it seems delivered a flood of vile sexual, racist, anti-socialist and similar comments against every female creator of channels I mentioned. Sometimes in my name and continues still.
They failed to impress the historian, midteen boater or her mother, chess player, primatologist or other creators but did increase the global overabundance of ugliness. They also delivered a perfect self-portrait of the Snowflake (viciously stupid, outraged US man-child demanding attention).
Quite the Victory. Goodreads does generate the interesting comment. Fortunately there are BookTubers to recommend saner, more useful reader sites.
Have earned another stepaway to the YouTube. This last was courtesy of Doctor Who/Mercy - AllOfTheStars, NCMI, Yanis Varoufakis, The Military Show, Prime of Midlife, AllShorts, Astro Alexandra, Dr Becky, I've Had It, Jolly Good Ginger, Diagonal Move, Global Updates with Sosan, Taylor Tomlinson, Vintage Space, Board Game Sanctuary, Spino Snack, Lyla Mev, Sci Show, Mary Trump Media, Fran Blanche,
Revolutionary Communist Party, Sierra Audet, Inspirovella, Dana Howl, Croc Turnbull, History at night, HIstory of Humankind, Shawna the Mom, David Ian Howe, Hazel Thayer, Lindsey, Aura Hart, Anti-social Studies, Fastepo, UKraine News TV, Amie's Literary Empire, Fall of Civilisations, BFBS, Martha Harris, The Dystopian Boatman, Farm to Taber, Amanda & Shaye, Monday to Monday, Nomadic Crobot, EarleWrites,
British Museum, Sarah Millican, Modern Day Eratosthenes, Think Out Loud, Paul Whitewick, Hazel is Online, The Amazing Lucas, ScaredKetchup, Dead Domain, PBS Terra, Institute of Art and Ideas, Economy Rewind, Wongel Zelalem, The Military Show, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Boatys World, My Retired Path, WokeGardener, Animalogic, Roots in the Wild, Sabine Hossenfelder, Hawk's Podcasts,
Acollierastro, Tibees, Dreamloop Cinema, Mark R Largent, Let's Talk Tabletop, Reads with Rachel, Bernadette Banner, Jill Bearup, Political CUSTARD, Novara Media,
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs of Goodreads are common and even affect BookTubers. Their antics extend beyond the gross comment into the doxxing, stalking, threats and more against the one or two star reader. Especially targeted are the better BookTubers and others addressing racist, misogynistic and similar elements of bad books.
Amazon do not acknowledge incidents, discipline insane members, punish writers who encourage them nor dismiss employees who enable both.
My experience after my Powers review was the most extreme. My message history was given over to these deranged individuals. Pine Gap Centre then asked that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my history failed but two outraged customers were created.
There was no apology or explanation but all visible harassment was undone. All comments were masked, page format and options returned to normal, all Lurkers I had not been Permitted to remove were disappeared and more. I did receive a note that Kindle would No longer support Goodreads and the icon was removed from my Kindle.
Reassuring or laughable?
A seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple werec at the end awarded millions by British Courts and that ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or something like. All the above occurred before the present US administration gave US data firms complete licence. Things worth a thought.
Safety suggestions. Remove all personal information from profile and avoid messaging. Remove all Lurkers, those who never post. They are likely monitors or employee created dummies, not admirers.
Lastly, given the Amazon penchant for Altering customer pages, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening are invaluable. These should suffice.
Kindle are the more serious. Do Not use Files, Calendar, Contacts or Email. With my experiences and confirmation that Amazon employees do read customer email, make of that what you will.
Do Not "purchase" Amazon e-books. You own only your device not downloads which may be deleted at whim. It is a mistake I also made. There are BookTubers to direct you to alternative vendors for e-books and readers, as well as alternatives to e-book purchase.
All Silk searches should obviously be innocuous and non-critical.
As I loaded a partially completed page, my keyboard was again split but now the split keyboard shows no option to undo. I am going to share this new menu with some friends and probably post a video of attempting to undo with limited options presented.
There is a credible rumour that Amazon seek cowardly, petty Incels for warehouse surveillance and Kindle both. It would seem that the same poorly socialised creeps cost less and are thrilled to monitor toilet break times and employee proximity intervals, lest the employees engage in union talk.
I will update this page and Powers review as I proceed. Amazon have responded only once to a question and that with a middle finger.
To implement the above costs nothing, to not might well do. The Amazon madlads are possessed of no morality, less restraint than Tommy Robinson followers and not prone to introspection. They are however fervent US patriots. Visit FAFO channels for visuals. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all enjoy Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite channels.
NCMI, Gingers are Black, Munecat, Some More News, Jay Reed, The Military Show, FAFO, Gittemary Johansen, Elephants in Rooms, Kat Talks, Willow Talks Books, The Cheeky Celt, IMY2, Queen City Minis, Owen Jones, Swell Entertainment, Rachel Oates, Tom Powell Jr,Belle of the Ranch, CoachD, Starbound Extra, Abby Cox, Anne Applebaum, Naughty Nana DUZ, Breaking Down Patriarchy, Riverboat Jack,
Emilie's Literary Corner, These Arrows, Seamus LeHane, Miranda Mills, Girl Gone London, CTV News, Charlotte Furness Writer, Hardy's Books, Feral Historian, Planarwalker, Guardian Australian, Nerdy Kathi, History of Everything, Refashioned Hippie, Naughty Nana DUZ, The Sword and Pen Reflections, GLOBAL PRINCESS, Crowley's Bookshop, Lee Francis, Foster on the Spectrum, Jessie Gender, Keffals.
I wish you a sunny morning, a glorious afternoon, a splendid evening, an exciting night and may we all continue learning.
Some cultures are built upon and thrive on Cruelty.
Realities, Lore of the Dark Sisters
I am doing an expansion to the original review. I may have judged it too generously but when an Unlimited title can generate that reaction, it stands out from its fellows.
Before I begin, I must visit the YouTube. This was made possible by Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, NCMI, Honest 2 Betsy, RevolutionarythOt, The Military Show, Anark, Red Glasgow, Anne Applebaum, Betty on a Boat, Hawk's Podcasts, Academic Avengers, AllShorts, Mody Speaks, The Military Show, Tachyon Pulse, Parkrose Permaculture, Guard the Leaf, Tina Friml,
Welcome to Ukraine, Candlelit Tales, Hello Future Me, LuckyBlackCat, RFU News, Keffals, Reese Waters, Vidya Mitra, No Justice, Novara Media, Mallen Baker, Ship Happens, Cruising Alba, Times Radio, Professor Tim Wilson, Cappy Army, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, The Enemy from Within, Reads with Rachel, Shades of Orange, New Enlightenment with Ashley, Ambient Studio, Outlaw Bookseller,
Jake Broe, Hildegard von Blingin, Tibees, Lily Simpson, Ukraine Matters, Kyiv Independent, History of Everything, Sarah Todd Hammer, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Subha Reads, RoxBlog Classical Music, Roisin's Reading, Science Fiction with Damien Walter, Raw News and Politics, Ksenia Turkova, Canada Today, ScaredKetchup, Wednesday - Paint it Black, Jay & Sharon, Heather Cox Richardson, CBC News, More Perfect Union,
Leena Norms, Octopus Lady, Chem Thug, Lynn Saga, Nayia, Gold and Gunpowder, The Sleeping Archaeologist, Eckharts Ladder, The Resistance -Call Me Antifa, Esther Natakunda, Then & Now, Grammies View, JimmyTheGiant, Happy Pancake, Dreamloop Cinema, Red Dawn, Grandma Clanker, Lisandra Vazquez, Verilybitchie, The Miracle Aligner, Naughty Nana DUZ, Amanda's Mild Takes, Anna Kallschmidt PhD,
Elvira Bary, A Very Casual Librarian, Kyiv Independent, Alex Fleev, The Economist, Radical Living, Tyrone Ross, Anka Daily News, Queen Penguin, Ozzy Man Reviews, Refashioned Hippie, Today I Learned Science, CTV News, ScaredKetchup, Purple Sweater, Joel Mugisha, Todd Maffin, Wongel Zelalem, Book Lover Laura, CoachD, Riverboat Jack, Delamer, The Open Book, Matriarchetype, Danainspired.
I saw not long ago an American idiot who whilst insulting an essayist which I mention, complain to her that I list other trans creators. The epidemic of Snowflake (brutish, uncouth, unselfaware US baby-man) creation continues unabated. A trigger warning then.
The channels I list include anthropologist, mathematician, lesbian, Irish, homesteader, model painter, chess player, redhaired, intersex, WOC, communist, physically challenged, het, marine biologist, Indian, paleontologist, literary critic, asexual, tall, military historian, boater, language historian, cis, military boardgamer, sewist, trans, physicist, musician, autist, socialist, queer, Australian, logician, economist, historian of geopolitics, architect and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening to the limited reference group are the channels hosted by the zoologist, chemist, anarchist, Canadian, other LGBTQI+, paleontologist, lumber yard family, miniatures gamer, other BIPOC, fashion historian, South African, book reviewer, model builder, boat builder, linguist, cosplayer, archaeologist, writer, literary critic, other neurodivergent, science fiction narrator, Cornish, logician, science fiction commentator, train historian, zoologist and other creators known (outside the USA) as Human Beings.
Should the voices not be silenced, seek the nearest Taoist monastery, repeat several times daily "I will not be a bellend today" and/or learn a new skill, perhaps Reading.
My contempt towards those clods, almost overwhelms at times. In those moments, I remember the early days short interview with the Ukrainian teacher, who organised and led her civilian anti-tank team hunting Russian armour North of Kyiv. With their example, I can not but continue. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
Onto to the book. His first contact novels are dark and they are fantastic. This one created another brand new ugly first contact scenario that was almost more horror story than alien invasion. It kept me on edge until the very end.
The one weak point is that instead of a global challenge, alien encounters are American affairs. US centrism in US science fiction is a standard. Amazon and writers are not tasked with changing that perspective but I hardly think that the shallow and erroneous worldview of the US reader is not reinforced by that standard.
A consequence of that limited view is easily seen in the campaign rhetoric of both major US Parties with the Republican voter cheering on policies justified by same.
His characters are good. The aliens are well described and the story twists are wonderful. Warning, it is scary but is definitely worth it.
In all honesty, I do not remember these books but in revisiting this review, I am looking forward purchasing physical copies. Not from Amazon.
I now take a short well earned break on the YouTube and possibly telly. This next was brought to you by Doctor Who/Never Fail To Be Kind - Slyfer2812, NCMI, Kings and Generals, Fiona Hill, Silicon Curtain, RTE News, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, Gabi Belle, Margaret Adelle, Keith Edwards, What Michaela Reads, Warships and Warriors, Sarah C M Paine, Ambient Studio - War Ambience, Gary's Economics,
Dammit Jeff, The Mindful Narrowboat, Business Basics, Underthedesknews, Whitenoiz, Leftist Cooks, Canada Today, KernowDamo, Tabithaspeakspolitics, Brianna Sarovski, The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, Wednesday, Chris Waite, Wanderness, Prime of Midlife, Turn Left, Vanwives, Bobbing Along, Barry's Economics, Maggie Mae Fish,
Northern Narrowboaters, Chris Norlund, Unlearning Economics, Sound Illusion - WW2 War Ambience, Norse Witch, Activist Witch, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Red Viburnam Song, BG's Model Workshop, Rogue Hobbies, Dungeons and Discourse, Anton Petrov, Joseph Reads Books, Sumatha Reads, Sailing Melody, Legendary Tactics, Jamey Reads, Verilybitchie, Bitchuation Room,
Parkrose Permaculture, Democratic Penguins Republic, Dark Brandon, Raw News and Politics, Three Arrows, The Great War, Petticoats and Prose, Lee Francis, Miranda Mills, Bernadette Banner, Jill Bearup, Gemma Dyer, Ukraine Calling, Harp Twins, Kyiv Post, The Gaze, JohnTheDuncan, Irish Myths, Katie Montgomerie, Mom on the Spectrum, Ember Green, CBC News, Diary of a Ditch Witch,
Cruising Crafts, Cruising the Cut, Liz Webster, Capital Lumber Log Yard, Farm to Taber, Sally's Economics, Amie's Literary Empire, Engineering with Rosie, Gutsick Gibbon, Lily Simpson, Leena Norms, Emilie's Literary Corner, Planet D, Garron, Tale Foundry, Irish Pagan School, Yarmak, Your True Shelf, Lady of the Library, Jen the Librarian, Eckharts Ladder, Jay Exci, SciFi Scavenger, A Very Casual Librarian.
YouTube have for sometime been shadow censoring certain types of channels. Those have seen their upload times increased with no apparent reason or explanation, subscribers mysteriously unsubscribed, demonetisation with long correction times and no explanation and other harassment.
The channels affected seem to be those critical of the US administration, the Israeli state, the Putin regime, capitalism in general. The Manosphere, Russian paid channels, and similar seem not afflicted.
Consider treating Goodreads as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth by Travis Corcoran. The story is of a wealthy twat enlisting the military to overthrow the US government in order that he not pay taxes. It seems almost topical.
It is a poorly written imitation of "Atlas Shrugged" on the Moon. There are a fair number of these gems in Unlimited, all of which I found unhealthy and dangerous.
Travis self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions) and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance already existing in prison labour with its extension supported by legislative and policy initiatives), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (another popular stance among those who could not locate Russia on a labelled world map).
He and six fellow patriots took exception to my poor communist opinion. There followed a year long demand for response to comments, which included judgements of my intelligence (fair enough), the unexplained evil of socialism, interesting views on slavery, the role of the white male in history, the narcissism suggested by my reluctance to engage and more.
They do not recognise the painful irony.
The final comment was sent by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse. After referencing the content of my last message with a Goodreads friend, he declared that They had "won" (?).
They had it seems delivered a flood of vile sexual, racist, anti-socialist and similar comments against every female creator of channels I mentioned. Sometimes in my name and continues still.
They failed to impress the historian, midteen boater or her mother, chess player, primatologist or other creators but did increase the global overabundance of ugliness. They also delivered a perfect self-portrait of the Snowflake (viciously stupid, outraged US man-child demanding attention).
Quite the Victory. Goodreads does generate the interesting comment. Fortunately there are BookTubers to recommend saner, more useful reader sites.
Have earned another stepaway to the YouTube. This last was courtesy of Doctor Who/Mercy - AllOfTheStars, NCMI, Yanis Varoufakis, The Military Show, Prime of Midlife, AllShorts, Astro Alexandra, Dr Becky, I've Had It, Jolly Good Ginger, Diagonal Move, Global Updates with Sosan, Taylor Tomlinson, Vintage Space, Board Game Sanctuary, Spino Snack, Lyla Mev, Sci Show, Mary Trump Media, Fran Blanche,
Revolutionary Communist Party, Sierra Audet, Inspirovella, Dana Howl, Croc Turnbull, History at night, HIstory of Humankind, Shawna the Mom, David Ian Howe, Hazel Thayer, Lindsey, Aura Hart, Anti-social Studies, Fastepo, UKraine News TV, Amie's Literary Empire, Fall of Civilisations, BFBS, Martha Harris, The Dystopian Boatman, Farm to Taber, Amanda & Shaye, Monday to Monday, Nomadic Crobot, EarleWrites,
British Museum, Sarah Millican, Modern Day Eratosthenes, Think Out Loud, Paul Whitewick, Hazel is Online, The Amazing Lucas, ScaredKetchup, Dead Domain, PBS Terra, Institute of Art and Ideas, Economy Rewind, Wongel Zelalem, The Military Show, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Boatys World, My Retired Path, WokeGardener, Animalogic, Roots in the Wild, Sabine Hossenfelder, Hawk's Podcasts,
Acollierastro, Tibees, Dreamloop Cinema, Mark R Largent, Let's Talk Tabletop, Reads with Rachel, Bernadette Banner, Jill Bearup, Political CUSTARD, Novara Media,
Ominous music begins. 😊 The comment gangs of Goodreads are common and even affect BookTubers. Their antics extend beyond the gross comment into the doxxing, stalking, threats and more against the one or two star reader. Especially targeted are the better BookTubers and others addressing racist, misogynistic and similar elements of bad books.
Amazon do not acknowledge incidents, discipline insane members, punish writers who encourage them nor dismiss employees who enable both.
My experience after my Powers review was the most extreme. My message history was given over to these deranged individuals. Pine Gap Centre then asked that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my history failed but two outraged customers were created.
There was no apology or explanation but all visible harassment was undone. All comments were masked, page format and options returned to normal, all Lurkers I had not been Permitted to remove were disappeared and more. I did receive a note that Kindle would No longer support Goodreads and the icon was removed from my Kindle.
Reassuring or laughable?
A seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple werec at the end awarded millions by British Courts and that ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or something like. All the above occurred before the present US administration gave US data firms complete licence. Things worth a thought.
Safety suggestions. Remove all personal information from profile and avoid messaging. Remove all Lurkers, those who never post. They are likely monitors or employee created dummies, not admirers.
Lastly, given the Amazon penchant for Altering customer pages, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening are invaluable. These should suffice.
Kindle are the more serious. Do Not use Files, Calendar, Contacts or Email. With my experiences and confirmation that Amazon employees do read customer email, make of that what you will.
Do Not "purchase" Amazon e-books. You own only your device not downloads which may be deleted at whim. It is a mistake I also made. There are BookTubers to direct you to alternative vendors for e-books and readers, as well as alternatives to e-book purchase.
All Silk searches should obviously be innocuous and non-critical.
As I loaded a partially completed page, my keyboard was again split but now the split keyboard shows no option to undo. I am going to share this new menu with some friends and probably post a video of attempting to undo with limited options presented.
There is a credible rumour that Amazon seek cowardly, petty Incels for warehouse surveillance and Kindle both. It would seem that the same poorly socialised creeps cost less and are thrilled to monitor toilet break times and employee proximity intervals, lest the employees engage in union talk.
I will update this page and Powers review as I proceed. Amazon have responded only once to a question and that with a middle finger.
To implement the above costs nothing, to not might well do. The Amazon madlads are possessed of no morality, less restraint than Tommy Robinson followers and not prone to introspection. They are however fervent US patriots. Visit FAFO channels for visuals. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all enjoy Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite channels.
NCMI, Gingers are Black, Munecat, Some More News, Jay Reed, The Military Show, FAFO, Gittemary Johansen, Elephants in Rooms, Kat Talks, Willow Talks Books, The Cheeky Celt, IMY2, Queen City Minis, Owen Jones, Swell Entertainment, Rachel Oates, Tom Powell Jr,Belle of the Ranch, CoachD, Starbound Extra, Abby Cox, Anne Applebaum, Naughty Nana DUZ, Breaking Down Patriarchy, Riverboat Jack,
Emilie's Literary Corner, These Arrows, Seamus LeHane, Miranda Mills, Girl Gone London, CTV News, Charlotte Furness Writer, Hardy's Books, Feral Historian, Planarwalker, Guardian Australian, Nerdy Kathi, History of Everything, Refashioned Hippie, Naughty Nana DUZ, The Sword and Pen Reflections, GLOBAL PRINCESS, Crowley's Bookshop, Lee Francis, Foster on the Spectrum, Jessie Gender, Keffals.
I wish you a sunny morning, a glorious afternoon, a splendid evening, an exciting night and may we all continue learning.
Some cultures are built upon and thrive on Cruelty.
Realities, Lore of the Dark Sisters
April 12, 2021
If you imagine Martian death-rays or eight-foot-tall bipedal lizards, think again. These alien invaders are called grubs, and for good reason. They travel in enormous packs. They’re “minuscule, maggot-like creatures” capable of aggregating in huge numbers and assuming any desired shape. And they consume just about everything in their path. Including trees and humans—trunks, clothing, and all. They arrived seven years ago in pods that fell all across Earth’s temperate zone. And now, seventy million dead humans later, they occupy most of the continental United States.
Ashley Kelly “was ten when the alien horde arrived.” She and her parents were on their farm in North Carolina when they sighted the first pod reported. Her father lost his life distracting the grubs from his wife and daughter. Now, at seventeen, Ash “has spent seven years learning to walk again” after a cluster bomb meant for the grubs damaged her spine. Confined to a wheelchair, she is evacuated from her last refuge, a Mexico City hospital, and transferred to a massive refugee camp south of the Texas border. She’s been told her long-lost mother is living there.
Then things start to get really interesting: the humans are losing to the alien invaders.
An American officer had lured Ash from the hospital in Mexico City with a promise to reunite her with her long-lost mother. But when she arrives, Ash is horrified to discover that her mother is not among the more than 100,000 Americans sheltered at Camp Augustus. The military is in a desperate, losing battle with the grubs and claims everyone within reach for a role in the war effort. (“Even a cripple like me can work in a munitions factory.”) For Ash, the only saving grace is the attentive young soldier named Jai Davidson who escorts her inside the camp. Jai befriends her, and the two together hold center stage for the duration of the story.
In the face of a surprise attack by the alien invaders on Camp Augustus, Ash and Jai separately make their way northward to the Texas border. There, they team up with the local leader of the American Resistance, a biology professor named McAllister. But it’s wheelchair-bound Ash who holds our attention. And it’s she who breaks through in contact with the aliens.
An ingenious concept of alien life
Welcome to the Occupied States of America involves escalating conflict between the grubs and the American military. Along the way, we witness the appearance of the alien invaders in a startling new configuration. Emerging from beneath the ground in gargantuan numbers, the grubs assemble themselves into “spider-walkers” hundreds of feet high. “They swarm like matryoshka dolls—nested Russian dolls, one inside the other. What we see is billions, probably trillions of seemingly identical cells banding together. Whereas we have specialized cells, it’s as though they’re made from multipurpose cells. It looks as though their cells specialize as limbs, arms, eyes, and tentacles, but they don’t. These are temporary forms. That’s what makes them so damn hard to kill.”
Now, if this description seems beyond belief, the author assures us, in the words of Prof. McAllister, “There are types of amoebae here on Earth that will band together in times of scarcity to form simple creatures capable of motion. Once food becomes abundant again, they’ll dissolve, and return to being individual organisms.”
First Contact—delayed
You might think First Contact took place when Ash and her parents encountered the grubs on their farm in North Carolina. But there was no contact as such, certainly no communication, merely two people fleeing and a third the subject of a feeding frenzy. First Contact—involving a meeting of the minds, as it were—doesn’t happen until nearly halfway through the novel. And of course it’s Ash who is at the center of the action.
I don’t want to spoil the story, but suffice it to say that the ending is a happy one. Or at least as happy as an ending can be. After all, tens of millions die in this gruesome tale. In fact, I found myself disappointed by the way Cawdron winds up the story. It’s an ending only Hollywood could love. Or, perhaps, a fan of YA fiction.
About the author
As of this writing, Peter Cawdron (born 1967) has written at least forty science fiction novels and novellas, seventeen of which are in his incomparable First Contact series. He writes hard—i.e., plausible—science fiction. As he explains on his biographical blurb on Amazon, he “is a fan of such classic science fiction writers as Philip K. Dick, Arthur C. Clarke and Michael Crichton and their influence on his style and story lines is readily apparent.” He was born in New Zealand but lives in Brisbane, Australia with his wife. They have three adult children.
Ashley Kelly “was ten when the alien horde arrived.” She and her parents were on their farm in North Carolina when they sighted the first pod reported. Her father lost his life distracting the grubs from his wife and daughter. Now, at seventeen, Ash “has spent seven years learning to walk again” after a cluster bomb meant for the grubs damaged her spine. Confined to a wheelchair, she is evacuated from her last refuge, a Mexico City hospital, and transferred to a massive refugee camp south of the Texas border. She’s been told her long-lost mother is living there.
Then things start to get really interesting: the humans are losing to the alien invaders.
An American officer had lured Ash from the hospital in Mexico City with a promise to reunite her with her long-lost mother. But when she arrives, Ash is horrified to discover that her mother is not among the more than 100,000 Americans sheltered at Camp Augustus. The military is in a desperate, losing battle with the grubs and claims everyone within reach for a role in the war effort. (“Even a cripple like me can work in a munitions factory.”) For Ash, the only saving grace is the attentive young soldier named Jai Davidson who escorts her inside the camp. Jai befriends her, and the two together hold center stage for the duration of the story.
In the face of a surprise attack by the alien invaders on Camp Augustus, Ash and Jai separately make their way northward to the Texas border. There, they team up with the local leader of the American Resistance, a biology professor named McAllister. But it’s wheelchair-bound Ash who holds our attention. And it’s she who breaks through in contact with the aliens.
An ingenious concept of alien life
Welcome to the Occupied States of America involves escalating conflict between the grubs and the American military. Along the way, we witness the appearance of the alien invaders in a startling new configuration. Emerging from beneath the ground in gargantuan numbers, the grubs assemble themselves into “spider-walkers” hundreds of feet high. “They swarm like matryoshka dolls—nested Russian dolls, one inside the other. What we see is billions, probably trillions of seemingly identical cells banding together. Whereas we have specialized cells, it’s as though they’re made from multipurpose cells. It looks as though their cells specialize as limbs, arms, eyes, and tentacles, but they don’t. These are temporary forms. That’s what makes them so damn hard to kill.”
Now, if this description seems beyond belief, the author assures us, in the words of Prof. McAllister, “There are types of amoebae here on Earth that will band together in times of scarcity to form simple creatures capable of motion. Once food becomes abundant again, they’ll dissolve, and return to being individual organisms.”
First Contact—delayed
You might think First Contact took place when Ash and her parents encountered the grubs on their farm in North Carolina. But there was no contact as such, certainly no communication, merely two people fleeing and a third the subject of a feeding frenzy. First Contact—involving a meeting of the minds, as it were—doesn’t happen until nearly halfway through the novel. And of course it’s Ash who is at the center of the action.
I don’t want to spoil the story, but suffice it to say that the ending is a happy one. Or at least as happy as an ending can be. After all, tens of millions die in this gruesome tale. In fact, I found myself disappointed by the way Cawdron winds up the story. It’s an ending only Hollywood could love. Or, perhaps, a fan of YA fiction.
About the author
As of this writing, Peter Cawdron (born 1967) has written at least forty science fiction novels and novellas, seventeen of which are in his incomparable First Contact series. He writes hard—i.e., plausible—science fiction. As he explains on his biographical blurb on Amazon, he “is a fan of such classic science fiction writers as Philip K. Dick, Arthur C. Clarke and Michael Crichton and their influence on his style and story lines is readily apparent.” He was born in New Zealand but lives in Brisbane, Australia with his wife. They have three adult children.
October 15, 2021
Wow, I just started the book and I already appreciate Ashley's snide humor... Get this exchange!
"Do you have baggage?” a Mexican woman asks. “Physically, or metaphorically?” I ask in reply, but my comment goes past the goalkeeper and straight into the net. She misses it completely."... [She keeps writing]...
..."In my mind, I’d like to imagine she’s composing a haiku...
Crippled girl in a wheelchair,
Clothed in dust and sweat,
Grubs eat babies.
OK, the last line has only has four syllables, but it’s got sufficient shock factor to work."
Oh my goodness this is rich! Thanks Peter!
I know that "Oh, Wow!" ... isn't a real review! But I keep finding myself saying, 'oh wow,' throughout the book... either that or simply, 'I love this.'
I have said in the past that I haven't met a book by P Cawdron that I haven't enjoyed, and Oh-Boy-Howdy, does he ever deliver this time! This is a fast action, apocalyptic story that makes you think. The story is told from the POV, of Ashley, a girl who is mostly confined to a wheelchair. Ashley is amazing and not about to let anything, let alone wheels-instead-of-walking, get in her way... When I finished the book, I went ahead and purchased another, gifting it to a friend... So go get your copy today, and see what you think! Now excuse me, I need to reread the ending!
... A couple of years later, I've just re-read/listened to the audio version, and I don't feel any difference for the love I hold for this book. If anything I love the book more as it felt like Lauren Ezzo was actually channelling Ashley as she rolled that damn wheelchair to the books conclusion...
"Do you have baggage?” a Mexican woman asks. “Physically, or metaphorically?” I ask in reply, but my comment goes past the goalkeeper and straight into the net. She misses it completely."... [She keeps writing]...
..."In my mind, I’d like to imagine she’s composing a haiku...
Crippled girl in a wheelchair,
Clothed in dust and sweat,
Grubs eat babies.
OK, the last line has only has four syllables, but it’s got sufficient shock factor to work."
Oh my goodness this is rich! Thanks Peter!
I know that "Oh, Wow!" ... isn't a real review! But I keep finding myself saying, 'oh wow,' throughout the book... either that or simply, 'I love this.'
I have said in the past that I haven't met a book by P Cawdron that I haven't enjoyed, and Oh-Boy-Howdy, does he ever deliver this time! This is a fast action, apocalyptic story that makes you think. The story is told from the POV, of Ashley, a girl who is mostly confined to a wheelchair. Ashley is amazing and not about to let anything, let alone wheels-instead-of-walking, get in her way... When I finished the book, I went ahead and purchased another, gifting it to a friend... So go get your copy today, and see what you think! Now excuse me, I need to reread the ending!
... A couple of years later, I've just re-read/listened to the audio version, and I don't feel any difference for the love I hold for this book. If anything I love the book more as it felt like Lauren Ezzo was actually channelling Ashley as she rolled that damn wheelchair to the books conclusion...
January 24, 2019
This book is a very unique story. Different from your average apocalypse/Alien-First Contact. I truly did enjoy it based solely on the fact it was different
January 13, 2021
Another fun first contact story from Peter Cawdron
A fast paced alien invasion adventure! His books remind me of pulp sci-fi and rarely fail to draw me in and entertain!
A fast paced alien invasion adventure! His books remind me of pulp sci-fi and rarely fail to draw me in and entertain!
February 14, 2021
War Of The Worlds Redux.
Reading my way through Peter Cawdron's massive multi-volume series of stand alone first contact novels. Dude is all over the place as far as quality and storytelling skills go. I'm a fan, but this series is very up and down. Thankfully "Wecome" finds him at the top of his game. Out of nowhere Earth finds itself under vicious attack from extraterrestrial invaders . And frankly, we're getting out collective asses handed to us in a handbasket. Out of the ashes and misery appears a plucky disabled teenage girl heroine who rises to figuring a way out of the quagmire and on to a brother future. The first portion of this is a nail-biting thrill a minute plunge through the war and it's aftermath. Very gripping, with excellent character development. As it careens toward an unlikely end it loses some of its foward momentum but all-in-all an excellent read
Reading my way through Peter Cawdron's massive multi-volume series of stand alone first contact novels. Dude is all over the place as far as quality and storytelling skills go. I'm a fan, but this series is very up and down. Thankfully "Wecome" finds him at the top of his game. Out of nowhere Earth finds itself under vicious attack from extraterrestrial invaders . And frankly, we're getting out collective asses handed to us in a handbasket. Out of the ashes and misery appears a plucky disabled teenage girl heroine who rises to figuring a way out of the quagmire and on to a brother future. The first portion of this is a nail-biting thrill a minute plunge through the war and it's aftermath. Very gripping, with excellent character development. As it careens toward an unlikely end it loses some of its foward momentum but all-in-all an excellent read
March 4, 2021
I am currently working my way through Peter Cawdron’s First Contact series. There were several reasons that I was unhappy with the previous book in the series, Starship Mine. One of them was due to that fact that it was a Novella rather than a full novel. With Welcome to the Occupied States of American Cawdron returns to full book format and the improvement is obvious. This is my twelfth Peter Cawdron book and I continue to be impressed with his imagination, characters, writing, plot lines, and scientific knowledge that comes through on every page.
In some books we have met the aliens out in space and in others they have sent a few emissaries to Earth. In Welcome to the Occupied States of American Cawdron has the aliens land on Earth in vast numbers and, unsurprisingly, war breaks out. The fact that the military in the US and other countries around the world feel that they will be able to defeat aliens in a war never ceases to amaze me. We struggle to get out to the moon and Mars while aliens will have traveled light years across space using technology far in advance from anything we have. Do we really think our “pop-guns” will be a match for them?
The human race has a long history of war and aggression. Nomadic tribes fought, kings fought, modern nations fight. Unfortunately years of peace number far fewer than years with war being waged somewhere on our planet. We are a violent species and assume that everyone else on the planet, and off of it, are the same.
In Welcome to the Occupied States of American Cawdron explores the question of the futility of warring with aliens - both for the humans and for the aliens. As always, he has dug deep into science, philosophy, history, and psychology to show us a different way to proceed.
On page one we meet Ashley Kelly, a teenage girl who is partially paralyzed by our first encounter with the aliens. Cawdron has shown time and again that he has the ability, very rarely evident with other male authors, to create a powerful, complex, and intelligent female protagonist. By the time you are only a few pages into this book you will find yourself entranced with Ashley’s engaging nature. Shortly after you meet Ashley, Cawdron introduces his second protagonist, Jai Davidson, and you will enjoy him almost as much.
Over the next two hundred and fifty-eight pages you will live along side Ashley and Jai as they struggle to survive in an America that has been decimated by grubs - aliens that eat everything that they encounter, including humans. Cawdron drops you into a refugee camp where you will experience the fear, loss, sorrow, famine, and thirst as if you were there yourself. He really is an excellent writer!
As I’ve mentioned before, the seventeen books in Cawdron’s First Contact series are all stand-alones. You do not have to read them in order but I believe doing so will let you experience Cawdron’s strength as a writer grow over a decade. Hopefully he will continue to explore new territory and push the Science Fiction envelope for decades more.
In some books we have met the aliens out in space and in others they have sent a few emissaries to Earth. In Welcome to the Occupied States of American Cawdron has the aliens land on Earth in vast numbers and, unsurprisingly, war breaks out. The fact that the military in the US and other countries around the world feel that they will be able to defeat aliens in a war never ceases to amaze me. We struggle to get out to the moon and Mars while aliens will have traveled light years across space using technology far in advance from anything we have. Do we really think our “pop-guns” will be a match for them?
The human race has a long history of war and aggression. Nomadic tribes fought, kings fought, modern nations fight. Unfortunately years of peace number far fewer than years with war being waged somewhere on our planet. We are a violent species and assume that everyone else on the planet, and off of it, are the same.
In Welcome to the Occupied States of American Cawdron explores the question of the futility of warring with aliens - both for the humans and for the aliens. As always, he has dug deep into science, philosophy, history, and psychology to show us a different way to proceed.
On page one we meet Ashley Kelly, a teenage girl who is partially paralyzed by our first encounter with the aliens. Cawdron has shown time and again that he has the ability, very rarely evident with other male authors, to create a powerful, complex, and intelligent female protagonist. By the time you are only a few pages into this book you will find yourself entranced with Ashley’s engaging nature. Shortly after you meet Ashley, Cawdron introduces his second protagonist, Jai Davidson, and you will enjoy him almost as much.
Over the next two hundred and fifty-eight pages you will live along side Ashley and Jai as they struggle to survive in an America that has been decimated by grubs - aliens that eat everything that they encounter, including humans. Cawdron drops you into a refugee camp where you will experience the fear, loss, sorrow, famine, and thirst as if you were there yourself. He really is an excellent writer!
As I’ve mentioned before, the seventeen books in Cawdron’s First Contact series are all stand-alones. You do not have to read them in order but I believe doing so will let you experience Cawdron’s strength as a writer grow over a decade. Hopefully he will continue to explore new territory and push the Science Fiction envelope for decades more.
February 12, 2020
I like Peter Cawdron. He is a member of the class of sci-fi authors who offer up “real science” based stories. Peter Weir of The Martian is the most well known of this group, for good reason. Cawdron is a prolific author, and I’ve found his stories to be quite entertaining and thought-provoking. 3zekiel was very deep in its themes and terrifying in its action.
The Occupied States of America has a recognizable concept: aliens land in America and proceed to take over. America fights back. (This is actually happening all over the globe, but the focus is on one person in America.) The heroine of the book is a central figure in this invasion and subsequent occupation.
I give Cawdron props for several things. First, he uses a person with physical disabilities as his main character. That is pretty rare in literature because it means extra work figuring out how that character gets around. And it isn’t just a gimmick either - it is an essential element in the story. Second, that same person is a young woman. A lesser author may have felt the disability would be hard enough, so the female element was too much work. Third, he incorporated modern political issues without being heavy-handed or preachy. He kind of presented the situation and left the irony up to the reader to embrace.
Where the book lost points for me was in some recycled elements, both from his own books and the sci-fi genre in general. I know, I know. There is nothing new under the sun. Look, I gave it 4 stars. I didn’t penalize much. But I kept having this thought of “I’ve seen this before,” and that robbed the book of an originality it should have had. There are giant metal spider walkers. War of the Worlds did that. (He says this was an homage to that work.). But Cawdron himself used characters just like that in 3zekiel. [This is where it is obvious I read these out of publishing order. THIS book came first, so 3zekiel actually stole that concept from Occupied States. But I didn’t read them that way.]. The aliens can swarm into shapes and such, which sounded exactly like the nanobots in Big Hero 6. The survivors are in run down areas fighting back, like in District 9. These elements were not just minor overlaps, otherwise it wouldn’t be a big deal. But the images being generated in my mind as I read were from the other media source. As a beginning writer, I don’t know if this is a good thing - a harkening of great sources - or a bad thing.
The book was entertaining and a quick read. I enjoy the higher level of science offered up as well. I’m not a science type person - I left that to my brother and my wife. But I appreciate its use in literature because it brings a level of authenticity with it. I look forward to continue reading Cawdron’s works and I hope he gets a larger audience soon.
The Occupied States of America has a recognizable concept: aliens land in America and proceed to take over. America fights back. (This is actually happening all over the globe, but the focus is on one person in America.) The heroine of the book is a central figure in this invasion and subsequent occupation.
I give Cawdron props for several things. First, he uses a person with physical disabilities as his main character. That is pretty rare in literature because it means extra work figuring out how that character gets around. And it isn’t just a gimmick either - it is an essential element in the story. Second, that same person is a young woman. A lesser author may have felt the disability would be hard enough, so the female element was too much work. Third, he incorporated modern political issues without being heavy-handed or preachy. He kind of presented the situation and left the irony up to the reader to embrace.
Where the book lost points for me was in some recycled elements, both from his own books and the sci-fi genre in general. I know, I know. There is nothing new under the sun. Look, I gave it 4 stars. I didn’t penalize much. But I kept having this thought of “I’ve seen this before,” and that robbed the book of an originality it should have had. There are giant metal spider walkers. War of the Worlds did that. (He says this was an homage to that work.). But Cawdron himself used characters just like that in 3zekiel. [This is where it is obvious I read these out of publishing order. THIS book came first, so 3zekiel actually stole that concept from Occupied States. But I didn’t read them that way.]. The aliens can swarm into shapes and such, which sounded exactly like the nanobots in Big Hero 6. The survivors are in run down areas fighting back, like in District 9. These elements were not just minor overlaps, otherwise it wouldn’t be a big deal. But the images being generated in my mind as I read were from the other media source. As a beginning writer, I don’t know if this is a good thing - a harkening of great sources - or a bad thing.
The book was entertaining and a quick read. I enjoy the higher level of science offered up as well. I’m not a science type person - I left that to my brother and my wife. But I appreciate its use in literature because it brings a level of authenticity with it. I look forward to continue reading Cawdron’s works and I hope he gets a larger audience soon.
May 10, 2020
Riveting in .its message of Peace
I am responding directly to the author's puzzled query of why this novel has not been solicited by producers to be made into a movie. Here is my answer to the puzzle of Why Not 1. Our society relates to war. The notion of hostile conflicts seems to feed a deep seated psychological need to harm. 2. Movie goers today seem to mostly desire special effects which bombard the consciousness with pulsing chaos and little if any substantive dialogue. 3. Showing compassion in an effort to understand a anothers viewpoint is sadly lacking in today's society. Just look at the politizing and hate mongering from the media which affect us all in increasingly negative ways.
As for my review: Marvelous read with substantive and very human inner dialogue. Woven throughout is a testament to a strength to believe in oneself and the ability to relate with an honesty devoid of prejudices which is enlightening. We as a global race have all faced fears. at one time or another with trepidation. This novella is generous in its depiction of overcoming that struggle by a teenager that although crippled physically is endowed with the tender correctness of a Mother defending her children of honest thoughts. An honorable story.
I am responding directly to the author's puzzled query of why this novel has not been solicited by producers to be made into a movie. Here is my answer to the puzzle of Why Not 1. Our society relates to war. The notion of hostile conflicts seems to feed a deep seated psychological need to harm. 2. Movie goers today seem to mostly desire special effects which bombard the consciousness with pulsing chaos and little if any substantive dialogue. 3. Showing compassion in an effort to understand a anothers viewpoint is sadly lacking in today's society. Just look at the politizing and hate mongering from the media which affect us all in increasingly negative ways.
As for my review: Marvelous read with substantive and very human inner dialogue. Woven throughout is a testament to a strength to believe in oneself and the ability to relate with an honesty devoid of prejudices which is enlightening. We as a global race have all faced fears. at one time or another with trepidation. This novella is generous in its depiction of overcoming that struggle by a teenager that although crippled physically is endowed with the tender correctness of a Mother defending her children of honest thoughts. An honorable story.
December 26, 2020
A first-contact story with a difference. For a change we have a dispossessed heroine coping with her wheelchair-bound existence and making all the right moves in a war-ravaged land, amid an invading alien species and the standard Earth-must-fight-back response. Just how much can one person do in such chaos? Quite a lot, as it goes: small gestures with far-reaching consequences. With the main plot of how to halt the war without the extinction of the human race, there is a gentle and slightly snarky romance brewing between the heroine and a soldier. It also introduces the notion of politics and conflict within the alien community, highlighting an intelligence beyond the norm, and themes of struggle and trust in common with humanity.
Witty and thought-provoking, the story offers an alternate perspective to the familiar just-kill-the-bugs narrative of so many other tales. Really enjoyed this.
Witty and thought-provoking, the story offers an alternate perspective to the familiar just-kill-the-bugs narrative of so many other tales. Really enjoyed this.
April 11, 2021
Clever and Moving
One has to be impressed at Cawdron’s continued output in this series. Each book including this one has more than one not just elaborated, but interesting character. If he constructs some of them around a trope (‘disability’, for example), why the hell not. He always makes the individual come alive and some of them become your friend. Of course, teenagers will like this book, but so will anybody.
Cawdron always gets in a little speechifying. Again, why not.
These books are worthy of more attention. (Hello, established publishers.) I’m a writer myself and know how challenging it can be. This Aussie puts us all to shame. He just keeps writing and telling his yarns. Well done. And keep on.
Note: I’ve been paying the small Kindle fee rather than go the “Read for free” route because I believe in exchanging with the author (like writing this review.) Every little bit helps.
One has to be impressed at Cawdron’s continued output in this series. Each book including this one has more than one not just elaborated, but interesting character. If he constructs some of them around a trope (‘disability’, for example), why the hell not. He always makes the individual come alive and some of them become your friend. Of course, teenagers will like this book, but so will anybody.
Cawdron always gets in a little speechifying. Again, why not.
These books are worthy of more attention. (Hello, established publishers.) I’m a writer myself and know how challenging it can be. This Aussie puts us all to shame. He just keeps writing and telling his yarns. Well done. And keep on.
Note: I’ve been paying the small Kindle fee rather than go the “Read for free” route because I believe in exchanging with the author (like writing this review.) Every little bit helps.
January 30, 2021
Enjoyable Y/A novel
I’ve been reading through Mr. Cawdron’s First Contact series and for the most part have enjoyed them. They can, taken as a group, be preachy and repetitive, but they are competently written and mostly well edited and well plotted. Almost every novel has been derivative of earlier works by other authors or filmmakers, but what isn’t, really? Overall I’d give the 17 book series three and a half stars, and this particular installment four stars. I still have seven books left so my overall score might vary by a half star either way, but they have been a pleasant surprise.
As far as this novel is concerned, the protagonist is clever and believable, although supporting characters are lightly sketched. The alien menace is interesting, and the resolution is satisfying, if a bit thin.
I’ve been reading through Mr. Cawdron’s First Contact series and for the most part have enjoyed them. They can, taken as a group, be preachy and repetitive, but they are competently written and mostly well edited and well plotted. Almost every novel has been derivative of earlier works by other authors or filmmakers, but what isn’t, really? Overall I’d give the 17 book series three and a half stars, and this particular installment four stars. I still have seven books left so my overall score might vary by a half star either way, but they have been a pleasant surprise.
As far as this novel is concerned, the protagonist is clever and believable, although supporting characters are lightly sketched. The alien menace is interesting, and the resolution is satisfying, if a bit thin.
March 21, 2023
I’ve read several books by this author and look forward to reading more. He keeps the story moving along and has characters you care about and that are not too ‘stock characters’ like can be common in these types of books. I did feel like the ending was a little rushed and that the story could have been better thought out (teenager solves complex genetic problem that space travelers couldn’t figure out…. Hmmm).
March 13, 2018
Loved it
This is one of those books I just couldn’t put down. Wonderful characters, even a wonderful lesson. When he comes to war so many become desensitized to the others when sometimes we just need to look beyond or within our enemies. And not just in war but in our every day lives.
This is one of those books I just couldn’t put down. Wonderful characters, even a wonderful lesson. When he comes to war so many become desensitized to the others when sometimes we just need to look beyond or within our enemies. And not just in war but in our every day lives.
September 8, 2019
An alien invasion novel with a difference where first contact ultimately comes via an unlikely but clever source. This is about seeing beyond the alien and disability. What a great name for the being who becomes the connection between humans and the invaders. Great writing from an author who makes you think.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
October 16, 2019
This is one of the worst books I have had the displeasure of reading. To say the pace is slow would be a huge understatement. Quite literally one one thing of consequence happens in the book, at the very end.
To make matters worse, most of the book focuses on the main characters cynical personality and horrible sense of humor.
Avoid this at all costs.
To make matters worse, most of the book focuses on the main characters cynical personality and horrible sense of humor.
Avoid this at all costs.
September 23, 2021
to me this was another great novel by Peter Cawdron.
To me this was another great novel by Peter Cawdron. I love that a common theme in most of his novels are a regular person stepping up to make a difference ! Also that staying calm and stepping away from fear gives us a different and better perception of things. Thanks !
To me this was another great novel by Peter Cawdron. I love that a common theme in most of his novels are a regular person stepping up to make a difference ! Also that staying calm and stepping away from fear gives us a different and better perception of things. Thanks !
December 7, 2024
Peter Cawdron's First Contact series excels again.
I continue to be impressed with the way these books give different slants on alien encounters. Peter possesses an impressive imagination that comes out with his range of characters and scenarios. I am recognising some common strands within the books but they've all got something different to tell.
I continue to be impressed with the way these books give different slants on alien encounters. Peter possesses an impressive imagination that comes out with his range of characters and scenarios. I am recognising some common strands within the books but they've all got something different to tell.
July 3, 2016
Another good story by Peter Crawdron
Found this story engaging, sad, and funny. Slightly disappointed the story wasn't longer as I really liked the main characters gumption and grit.
Found this story engaging, sad, and funny. Slightly disappointed the story wasn't longer as I really liked the main characters gumption and grit.
September 20, 2017
He Does it Again
Even if the description doesn't meet what you usually read, stop and read this book. The author's ability to tell the story alone is worth the effort. The tale is great, the writing is great, and the message is great.
Even if the description doesn't meet what you usually read, stop and read this book. The author's ability to tell the story alone is worth the effort. The tale is great, the writing is great, and the message is great.
October 7, 2017
Cool
This story has lots of terror, action, and a huge surprise. We are at war with creatures from space that are so radically different from us we hardly know how to fight back. One young woman figures it out for us.
This story has lots of terror, action, and a huge surprise. We are at war with creatures from space that are so radically different from us we hardly know how to fight back. One young woman figures it out for us.
April 30, 2020
Noice
Very cool premise. Nice writing. Easy to read. Very perceptive of disabled people's adaptation to the world and nice use of that adaptation as a motivational thread in the story.
Very cool premise. Nice writing. Easy to read. Very perceptive of disabled people's adaptation to the world and nice use of that adaptation as a motivational thread in the story.
February 14, 2022
I almost gave up on this book, I’m sooooo glad I didn’t. This was a thoughtful articulation of first contact between human and alien that veered off the normal course. Well done.
August 4, 2024
why I read this book: last week, I read my first book by this author, Anomaly and enjoyed it. put
I wasn’t like entranced and emotional about it. But it was a solid entertaining read.
AND I love the idea that this author has written 28 completely different alien first contact stories. and I don’t mean a series like star trek with the same people meeting new aliens. I mean the books all standalone , in separate universes probably, with entirely different world building and entirely different main character motivations. So I thought to myself, even if the books are not my most favorite ever- it would still be fun to read that many different ideas. and here we go. book number 2!
how did the actual reading go? This book was told from first person perspective and everything moved along quickly and was easy to follow. I got it free from kindle unlimited with audio narration. listened to most of it while drawing. Finished in just a couple days.
how’s the main character? I really like her. She uses a wheel chair but not all the time so the book gently clarified some stereotypes there. She has a total bad ass action adventure with her chair being a meaningful part of the journey. I have not seen this before in sci-fi.
what kind of aliens are in this book: (just the beginning info, no spoilers) they are called Grubs. they can join like transformers to make bigger and smaller beings. so far no real communication between humans and grubs.
how satisfying was the ending? certainly better than I felt after Anomaly. I still really wanted more.
I wonder if just the concept of First Contact book means they won’t ever being going deep into the culture, religion, languages and sexuality of the aliens. I really love books that do that. If you’re reading this, recommend me some?
February 2, 2020
This is the second Peter Cawdron novel I’ve read (3zekiel previously) and I enjoy them for their sci-fi exploration of first contact with an alien race. My disappointment both times has been over the endings. Both fizzle out or finish more weakly than I would wish. I’d like to see the endings of the novels developed and have as much care taken over them as the rest of the book.
The main character, Ashley, is physically disabled due to injury, but can stand and walk a little. While it is good to see a disabled character, I have mixed feelings about the portrayal. I myself use a wheelchair, but can stand and walk a little on good days. Yes, it’s good the main character demands to be treated like a normal human being, but the reality is for most disabled people that the world makes that almost impossible because of accessibility and discrimination.
Being disabled does not mean you have to be a super person outperforming others. Physically many cannot keep on going, or fight against pain or exhaustion indefinitely.
There is a tendency for many abled people to dismiss the problems of the disabled community and insist the problem is with us because we just need to “try harder”. You can try all you like, but attitude does not fix genetic or physical illness or conditions. No matter how hard I try or how positive I am, it’s not going to fix the problem. For example, try being positive as a cure for diabetes or cancer and see how far that gets you.
I want honest portrayal of disabled people in novels. As I said I have mixed feeling about this aspect of the book.
Overall, an enjoyable read and for many readers the disabled aspect won’t mean much because they have little or no interaction with disabled people.
The main character, Ashley, is physically disabled due to injury, but can stand and walk a little. While it is good to see a disabled character, I have mixed feelings about the portrayal. I myself use a wheelchair, but can stand and walk a little on good days. Yes, it’s good the main character demands to be treated like a normal human being, but the reality is for most disabled people that the world makes that almost impossible because of accessibility and discrimination.
Being disabled does not mean you have to be a super person outperforming others. Physically many cannot keep on going, or fight against pain or exhaustion indefinitely.
There is a tendency for many abled people to dismiss the problems of the disabled community and insist the problem is with us because we just need to “try harder”. You can try all you like, but attitude does not fix genetic or physical illness or conditions. No matter how hard I try or how positive I am, it’s not going to fix the problem. For example, try being positive as a cure for diabetes or cancer and see how far that gets you.
I want honest portrayal of disabled people in novels. As I said I have mixed feeling about this aspect of the book.
Overall, an enjoyable read and for many readers the disabled aspect won’t mean much because they have little or no interaction with disabled people.
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